The maid

Two Days Later

Kiyoshi pondered, "We take quests every day, and I train my skills all night. I need to become strong to acquire the treasure. We'll have to stay here for two years, as the treasure lies on Legends Island, also known as Monster Island. It's located in the southwestern part of this country, teeming with formidable monsters. To stand a chance, we must reach at least an A rank. The island only opens for adventurers to level up and seek the treasure once every three years. The next opportunity comes in two years. No one has succeeded in claiming it thus far. We can level up tenfold there, facing even more powerful monsters, though it won't be an easy feat."

They were both frustrated by the lengthy timeline, but according to the game manual, they would return to Earth precisely as they left, and their ages would remain the same as when they first entered.

After two days

On their way back to the bar after a hunting session, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows. Suddenly, a mysterious woman, clad in a maid's attire, appeared.

She spoke solemnly, "I deeply regret bringing you into this world, but I had no other option. I'm here to convey a message. Sakura, don't fret over your mother; she's safe. Your family is not in distress. I've reassured them. And you need not pursue the treasure."

Kiyoshi demanded, "Then return us."

Sakura insisted, "I want to see my mother immediately."

Through a grand mirror, she revealed their families, all safe and together. How?

The maid explained that due to Earth's current state, monsters were emerging from rifts, imbuing the planet with magic and ushering in the era of adventurers.

Kiyoshi, his heart pounding, inquired anxiously, "Are our families unharmed?"

The maid reassured, "The monsters won't harm them."

Curiosity piqued, Kiyoshi asked why his mother was with Sakura's family.

"It's because I informed them that you were pulled into a gate and transported to another dimension. I showed them through my Mirror of Truth," the maid disclosed.

"Then return us," Kiyoshi pressed.

"I'm truly sorry, but I cannot. I will return once you attain an S rank. You are Earth's last hope," the maid declared before vanishing into thin air. Kiyoshi was left bewildered.

Sakura, her countenance bright, said, "Now I remember. She's the one who gave me the wish card from Kok Mall."

Kiyoshi inquired, "The matter with your mother... If it's private, you don't have to share."

Sakura confided, "The day we arrived in this fantasy world was the day of my mother's surgery. It was a critical situation, and I was deeply worried about her. I'm relieved she's doing well."

Kiyoshi realized, 'So that's why she's been so concerned all this time.'

Sakura then asked, "What do you want to do now?"

Kiyoshi replied, "I think we should get some rest tonight. I'm exhausted from the hunting."

Sakura noted with encouragement, "You're making great progress with your skills."

That night, they shared a bed. Sakura was too afraid to sleep alone in the dimly lit bar. She had asked Kiyoshi two days earlier, "Can you share this bed with me? I'm a little scared, but keep your distance, and promise to keep it a secret." There was no romantic intent; they were simply finding comfort in each other's presence.

Sakura was a force to be reckoned with when she faced monsters, wielding her sword with the skill of a seasoned hunter. But when left alone, her demeanor transformed, revealing a vulnerability that belied her strength. Even the darkness unsettled her.

It was an ironic contrast. Kiyoshi dedicated his nights to training, striving to catch up to Sakura's prowess.

60 days later

They invested in new weaponry: a B-rank sword for Kiyoshi, an A-rank katana, and two B-rank daggers for Sakura. The purchases totaled roughly 100 gold coins. Now, they were ready to tackle more challenging quests and earn greater rewards. Both of them leveled up.

Afterwards, Kiyoshi thought, 'All set. Now I just need to get dressed and hunt some monsters.'

Heading towards the AMO to select quests, he wondered why Sakura was running late. She eventually appeared, leaping from the first-floor window of the bar to the street below.

She looked stunning with her hair now cropped to her shoulders.

Kiyoshi asked, "Why did you cut your hair?"

"It's hard to fight with long hair," Sakura explained.

Though they bickered at times, they were fast becoming best friends.

As they made their way to the AMO, they prepared for their quests.

Upon arrival, they updated their profiles:

(Name: Kiyoshi

Rank: D [level 5]

Hp: 100%

Mp: 150

Skills: luck (rank b), healing kiss (rank b), the eye of wisdom (rank A),

  back sword (rank b)

storage: 3

Title: healing sword

Type: all type

Kiyoshi's healing kiss skill had evolved. Now, he could heal minor wounds with a touch and mend fractures with a kiss.

With his Eye of Wisdom, he could discern the skills and ranks of individuals lower than C rank. Additionally, his luck skill now worked against B rank adventurers.

Kiyoshi marveled, 'I'm not sure why, but my leveling speed is tenfold faster than others. However, as I progress, hunting becomes more difficult. Sakura, on the other hand, levels up five times faster than the average adventurer. With each level, she gains more energy, feels weightless, experiences enhanced stamina, reduced pain from minor injuries, increased speed, a heightened sense of power, and a surge in magical presence and MP.'

He lamented, 'For me, it's almost like I'm regressing. I feel heavier, my stamina wanes, pain intensifies, and I sense a decrease in power. At least my MP has increased, which is a relief.'

(Name: Sakura

Rank: B [level 6]

Hp: 100%

Mp: 500

Skills: hide (rank b), target (rank b), lightning speed (rank b)

storage: 5

Title: lightning reaper

Type: assassin)